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they sign Youk to a 1 yr 12 mil coming off a down year but they wont sign AJ for 1 yr 7.5 mil coming off a great year, and catcher is arguably the most important position of need (and position in general)

1- There's a reason to believe that Youk was a better player in 2012 than his numbers indicated and is due for a a better overall batting line in 2013.

He will never be the player he was pre-2011 but I don't think he's as bad as he was in 2012. I think he will have a year similar to 2011. When he put up a batting line of .258 / .373 / .459. If he does that and stays healthy enough to play 120 games at 1B/3B/DH total then yes. I think he would be worth the 12M.

What I'm saying is that I'm more confident in Youk bouncing back than I am in AJ repeating his numbers.

Its pretty much what you believe. If we had signed AJ, I wouldn't have cared either way. I would have expected an average offensive catcher (with below average defense). I would have welcomed him and would have supported him (because he's a Yankee).

We didn't sign him though and I'm still fairly indifferent. I don't think he would have been much of an upgrade.

Free agent infielder Casey McGehee has agreed to play in Japan for the Rakuten Eagles, according to multiple Japanese reports (via Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker). Within this Sankei/MSN report Rakuten scouting director Hiroshi Abei acknowledges the sides have agreed to a deal, pending a physical. McGehee, a Meister Sports Management client, will earn $1.3MM on a one-year contract.

McGehee spent this past season with the Pirates and Yankees, appearing in 114 games. The 30-year-old posted a .217/.284/.358 batting line with nine home runs and 16 doubles in 352 plate appearances while playing first base, second base and third base. He earned $2.54MM in 2012 and elected free agency in October.

Free agent infielder Casey McGehee has agreed to play in Japan for the Rakuten Eagles, according to multiple Japanese reports (via Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker). Within this Sankei/MSN report Rakuten scouting director Hiroshi Abei acknowledges the sides have agreed to a deal, pending a physical. McGehee, a Meister Sports Management client, will earn $1.3MM on a one-year contract.

McGehee spent this past season with the Pirates and Yankees, appearing in 114 games. The 30-year-old posted a .217/.284/.358 batting line with nine home runs and 16 doubles in 352 plate appearances while playing first base, second base and third base. He earned $2.54MM in 2012 and elected free agency in October.

I am currently awaiting his reply. If I had to guess I'm gonna say he will pick third.

Based on what? The Rays are worse, the Orioles have done nothing, and the Red Sox have made a bunch of questionable signings. The Jays have become the Miami Marlins. Meanwhile, the Yankees are the same team that won 95 games minus Swisher and Martin.

Based on what? The Rays are worse, the Orioles have done nothing, and the Red Sox have made a bunch of questionable signings. The Jays have become the Miami Marlins. Meanwhile, the Yankees are the same team that won 95 games minus Swisher and Martin.